Manchester United through to FA Cup final

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes criticism of his side this season has been unjustified after they came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 yesterday at Wembley and reach a 20th FA Cup final.

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera cancelled out Dele Alli's opener to send United into a third final in less than two years under Mourinho, having won the Europa League and League Cup last season.

Liverpool's 2-2 draw at West Brom in the Premier League also means United need just seven points from their remaining four league games to secure second place behind champions Manchester City.

“We should ask ourselves why there is too many critics on all of us?” said Mourinho.

“We need two victories and one draw to finish second with 81 points behind an untouchable City no chance to get in the fight with them. I think second with 81 points is a good season and then we can come to the final with a good spirit, supported by good supporters.”

By contrast, a record eighth- consecutive FA Cup semi-final defeat for Spurs ensured their decade-long wait for a trophy continues.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino played down the importance of winning his first silverware as a coach beforehand, claiming it “wouldn't change their lives”.

And the Argentine insisted that finishing in the Premier League top four for a third- consecutive season to qualify for the Champions League is more important to their progress as a club than silverware.

“For me, the most important is now we finish in the top four to play again in the Champions League,” said Pochettino.

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